Codes Enforcement Officer I

Performs intermediate technical work inspecting building construction for compliance with State and local building codes and ordinances, enforcing related codes, responding to inquiries, and related work as apparent or assigned. Work is performed under the limited supervision of the Building Official.

Essential Functions

• Performs field inspections and re-inspections of residential, commercial, industrial, and public facilities construction and existing structures for compliance with building, plumbing, electrical, and mechanical codes.
• Issues warnings and stop work orders where construction is not being made in compliance with regulations as to methods and/or materials.
• Receives complaints in regard to defective construction and handles inspections and enforcement problems; inspects existing buildings for hazardous conditions, structural failures, improper uses, and violations of minimum housing ordinance.
• Receives and responds to inquiries; works with homeowners and contractors to ensure code compliance on projects.
• Reviews residential and commercial plans to determine compliance with codes.
• Participates in training to maintain licensure.

Qualification Requirements

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable an individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Special Requirements

Residential Building, Electrical, Mechanical and Plumbing certifications are preferred upon hire or required within six months of employment. Valid driver's license in the Commonwealth of Virginia

Education & Experience

High school diploma or GED and considerable experience in building construction trades, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

Thorough knowledge of State building and related codes, laws, and ordinances; general knowledge of the principles and practices of building, electric, plumbing, mechanical, and/or zoning code enforcement; general knowledge of all types of building construction materials, methods, and stages of construction when possible violations and defects may be most easily observed and corrected; ability to detect poor workmanship, inferior materials, and hazards of fire and collapse; ability to read and interpret complex construction documents and to compare them with construction in process; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, contractors, developers, property owners, tenants, and the general public.

Physical Requirements

This work requires the frequent exertion of up to 10 pounds of force and occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force; work regularly requires speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel and reaching with hands and arms, frequently requires standing, walking and stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling and occasionally requires sitting, climbing or balancing, tasting or smelling, pushing or pulling and lifting; work has standard vision requirements; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, using of measuring devices, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities; work regularly requires exposure to outdoor weather conditions and occasionally requires exposure to fumes or airborne particles and exposure to the risk of electrical shock; work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic).